fixturing

## Getting Started with Fixturing

A stand-alone Fixturing System Setup application is included with PC-DMIS. It can help you set up your Flexible Fixturing system. After you install PC-DMIS, you need to run the Setup utility.

The information in this topic provides an overview of the steps you need to take to set up and run Fixturing.

You must be logged into Windows as an administrator in order to use the FxtServerInterface application to set up the machine and its connection. If you are logged into Windows under a standard user account without administrator privileges, the application will run, but you will not have access to any machine or connection setup functionalities.

First-Time PC-DMIS Installation with Fixturing

To be compliant with the permission rules for PC-DMIS products, files associated with Fixturing are located in this folder:

C:\Users\Public\Documents\Hexagon\PC-DMIS\FIVEUNIQUE

This folder allows access to the files without needing administrator privilege on the computer that is running PC-DMIS.

To do this, you must perform the following steps when you install PC-DMIS for the first time:

1. The first time you install PC-DMIS and FXtServer, run the FXtServer installation program for the first time with administrator privileges (as is required for the PC-DMIS installation).

2. When you run FxtServerInterface, a message appears and states that the system will migrate all of your data files to the FIVEUNIQUE folder in the path above.

- If you select Yes, the files are moved, and the original folder is deleted.

- If you select No, the files are copied, but the original folder is retained.

Once this is done, the files are moved (or copied), and you are able to run FxtServerInterface.exe without administrator privileges.

Step 1: Run the Fixturing System Setup Utility

From your PC-DMIS installation directory, open the FiveUnique subdirectory, and double-click on fxtserverinterface.exe to open a small Fixturing System Setup window. (Or, if a shortcut exists, you can select Start | All Programs | PC-DMIS (version) | Fixture Interface Server.)

Step 2: Connect to a Fixture Server

1. From the Fixturing System Setup window, select Configuration | Connection to open the Properties dialog box. This dialog box defines the connection properties and settings to the fixture server. For more information, see "Fixture Server Connection".

   Properties dialog box - fixture server settings tab

2. Complete the dialog box:

   - Remote Computer - To connect to a remote server, type the name of the remote computer. To connect to a server running on your computer, type localhost.

   - User - Type a user name with administrator access.

   - Password - Type the password the user uses to log in.

   - Domain - If needed, specify the domain name.

   - Connect as local server - If you're connecting to a server running on your local computer, mark this check box. If you're connecting to a remote server, leave it blank.

3. Click OK to connect to the server with the specified login credentials.

Step 3: Select the Fixture System

1. From the Fixturing System Setup application, select File | Set System to open the Select System dialog box. You can use this dialog box to define the type of fixture system to use.

   Select System dialog box

2. From the list box, select the correct system from the available systems.

3. For Number of Arms, select the number of arms used on your setup.

4. For Machine Type, select your machine type:

- For CMMs with measuring arms in a vertical position, select Bridge.

- For CMMs with measuring arms in a horizontal position, select Horizontal.

5. Click OK to close the dialog box. The Fixturing System Setup window reflects your changes.

Step 4: Define the Fixture Properties

1. From the Fixturing System Setup window, click Properties to open the Fixture Properties dialog box.

2. From the Fixture Properties dialog box, configure the properties for the following items:

   - Arms - See "Fixture Properties - Arms"

   - Exclusion Zones - See "Fixture Properties - Exclusion Zones"

   - Columns - See "Fixture Properties - Columns"

   - Modules - See "Fixture Properties - Modules"

   - Fixtures - See "Fixture Properties - Fixtures"

   - Hole Patterns - See "Fixture Properties - Hole Pattern"

3. Click Apply and then OK.

4. Select File | Save to save the fixture definition.

5. If needed, set PC-DMIS-specific fixturing properties. For information on how to do this, see "Flexible Fixturing Setup in PC-DMIS".

Step 5: Run PC-DMIS and Define the Fixture Columns in PC-DMIS

1. Start PC-DMIS as usual.

2. If things are properly configured, in PC-DMIS you can see and select the Insert | Hardware Definition | Fixture menu option.

3. Select that menu item to open the Create/Modify Fixtures dialog box.

4. From the Create/Modify Fixtures dialog box, create and position the fixture columns. For information on how to do this, see the "Creating and Positioning Fixture Columns in PC-DMIS" topic.

Step 6: Calibrate the Fixture Components

Once you have defined and positioned the fixtures in PC-DMIS, you need to calibrate them so that PC-DMIS knows where the fixtures are in relation to the coordinate system.

1. Select the Operation | Calibrate/Edit | Fixturing menu option to open the Calibrate Columns tab in the Fixturing Setup dialog box.

2. Use this dialog box to calibrate the fixture components. For more information, see "Calibrating Fixture Components in PC-DMIS".